South African horse owners and cattle farmers must ensure that their hay stocks and quality are maintained to ensure the health and welfare of their animals. Hay is a major source of nutrition and a substantial investment, whether harvested or bought, especially in dry seasons or when grasslands are limited.
However, maintaining hay’s nutritional content is a never-ending task. Mould growth, spoiling, and a sharp decline in feed quality can happen quickly when hay is exposed to moisture, whether from rain, dew, or ground moisture. Similarly, sneaky pests like insects, birds, and rodents can get into the hay, eating large amounts of it and resulting in substantial losses.
Therefore, maintaining dry, clean, and contamination-free hay is not only a question of best practices but also an important part of successful animal husbandry. This is where bulk bags shine. Custom Bulk Bags is a leading manufacturer and supplier of bulk bags in South Africa.
We produce up to 3.5 million units per year, and our products can safely hold between 500kg and two tonnes of material per bag. We offer various customisable bulk bags and can include certain optional extras that improve the usability of your packaging for hay and other farming products.
Benefits of storing hay in bulk bags
These bulk packaging products are a surprisingly efficient and lightweight alternative to baling hay with twine. Stacks of hay bales are typically stored in barns or beneath tarpaulins, but bulk bags offer a better solution. These sturdy, woven polypropylene bags solve many problems that farmers and horse owners encounter, including the following:
1. Moisture protection – As a woven plastic fabric, bulk bags provide excellent moisture protection, especially when they are fitted with plastic inner liners. Hay is protected from dew and rain, unlike exposed bales. In addition, bags stacked on pallets raise the hay off the wet ground, which stops capillary action from attracting moisture to the lower layers.
This all-encompassing defence against water is essential for stopping the development of dangerous moulds and fungi, which not only reduce the quality of hay but also present serious health concerns to animals if ingested. Bulk bags guarantee that the hay keeps its nutritional value and is safe to eat for prolonged periods by keeping it dry.
2. UV-ray protection – Hay is susceptible to harmful UV rays from the sun. Long-term sun exposure can cause photodegradation, which breaks down vital minerals like vitamins A and E and lowers the overall protein content. As a result, livestock eat less nourishing hay.
UV inhibitors can be incorporated into the fabric of bulk bags, providing a high level of protection from the sun’s rays. This feature ensures that animals get the maximum nutritional benefits of their feed by preserving the hay’s colour, aroma, and – above all – vital nutrient profile.
3. Pest protection – Hay is always threatened by pests. Bales can get infested by rodents, birds, and other insects, which can contaminate the feed with droppings, spread diseases, and consume large amounts of it. Bulk bags provide a strong physical barrier against these critters thanks to their securely fastened closures and tightly woven fabric.
An appropriately secured bulk bag massively reduces the likelihood that pests will penetrate and contaminate the hay, in contrast to loosely stacked bales that provide easy access. Your animals will live in a healthier environment, and you’ll spend less on feed as a direct result of this protection.
Bulk bags naturally increase the storage life and maintain the quality of hay for noticeably longer periods. Farmers and horse owners can manage their feed inventories with more flexibility thanks to this ability. You can buy or harvest hay during busy times when costs are lower or quality is at its best, with the assurance that it will stay in top condition until it is needed.
The longer shelf life provided by bulk bags means that feed management is improved, spoilage losses are decreased, and there is a more consistent supply of high-quality food all year round, regardless of the weather.
Other advantages of bulk bags for hay
Bulk bags improve handling and reduce waste. They are perfect for mechanised handling with forklifts or telehandlers because of their robust design and practical lifting loops. This increases productivity and lowers the possibility of worker injury by reducing the manual labour involved in moving big loads of hay.
What’s more, the ability to move and stack individual bags in a hygienic manner reduces the possibility of spoiling when handling damaged bales or loose hay. Since bulk bags are enclosed, there is a considerable decrease in waste because less hay is trodden or strewn during feeding and transportation. More of the feed will reach the animals instead of being lost to the environment thanks to this feature.
Your supplier of bulk bags
Custom Bulk Bags is dedicated to offering premium, long-lasting bulk bags that are ideal for storing and transporting hay. The equestrian industry and livestock farming have very particular needs when it comes to animal feed and nutrition. Our bulk bags offer a long-term, economical, and environmentally friendly solution for handling your feed because they are made to be reused, in addition to having outstanding strength and protective qualities.
The practical and cost-effective requirements of farming operations are exceeded by this reusability, which lets you get the most out of your investment. For more information about our bulk bags or to get advice on the ideal designs, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za.
